X Factor star Reece Mastin is bookies' top choice to take number 1 spot in talent show

Scunthorpe-born singer Reece Mastin is now the odds-on bookies' favourite to win the Australian version of The X Factor.

Reece, 16, was voted through as one of the last seven acts in the prime-time televised singing contest and is now just four shows away from a place in the final.

As of Wednesday, October 19, bookmaker Centrebet was quoting odds of 5/2 on for the former Parkwood Infant and Junior Schools pupil to win the contest and secure a professional record deal with Sony Music Australia.

The odds put him well ahead of second favourite Christina Parie, who is a 4/1 chance to win the show.

But Reece, who moved to Adelaide with his family six years ago, said he was still only focusing on next week's performance.

After his appearance on Tuesday, October 18, he told the Scunthorpe Telegraph: "We are still just taking it one week at a time.

"There were only nine votes between the bottom two this week, which is pretty tight considering the number of people who vote."

Reece sang the Maroon 5 hit She Will Be Loved in the latest performance show on Monday, October 17.

He then faced a nervous 24-hour wait to discover if Aussie viewers had again voted to keep him in the competition and out of the sing-off between the bottom two in the votes.

That wait went on as the results were announced live on air.

He said: "I wasn't through until it got to the bottom four this week. I think I was just getting ready to sing again for my life.

"The performance show was good and I did She Will Be Loved, so it was a bit more relaxed and heaps different to my usual rock and roll.

"In a competition like this, you have got to show something different and I think it worked this week, so I am sure I can do more than just the rock."

The theme for next week's performances is Australia, which Reece said would provide another chance for him to show something different.

He also said the contest was getting harder as the field narrowed and added that it was always difficult to see friends voted out, such as this week's evictees Young Men Society.

He said: "It is always upsetting on Tuesdays but we have got to see it out.

"We are glad for ourselves that we get through.

"I always thought Young Men Society was one of the top contenders.

"They practise 24/7 and are the nicest guys, so it was really upsetting to see them go."